Atomic Energy and Spectra

Front

What does it mean that energy levels in an atom are quantized?

Back

Electrons can only occupy specific energy states.

Front

What is line spectra?

Back

The emission or absorption of light at specific wavelengths, characteristic of the elements, due to transitions between discrete energy levels.

Front

What is an atomic energy level?

Back

A specific, quantized state of energy that an electron in an atom can occupy.

Front

What are photons?

Back

Particles of light that carry energy proportional to their frequency.

Front

What is emission spectra?

Back

The spectrum of light emitted when electrons transition from a higher to a lower energy level, releasing energy as photons.

Front

What is absorption spectra?

Back

The spectrum formed when specific wavelengths of light are absorbed as electrons move from lower to higher energy levels.

Front

What does the frequency of a photon refer to?

Back

The number of oscillations or cycles of the electromagnetic wave associated with a photon per second.

Front

What is atomic transition?

Back

The movement of an electron between energy levels within an atom, resulting in the absorption or emission of a photon.

Front

What is the ground state of an atom?

Back

The lowest energy level that an electron can occupy in an atom.

Front

What is an excited state?

Back

A higher energy level than the ground state that an electron occupies temporarily.